The sister of Nadia El-Dib, murdered by an ex-boyfriend last month, says she will use her sister’s name, voice and story to raise awareness of domestic violence.

Racha El-Dib said her 22-year-old sister “went down fighting” in the early morning hours of March 25 when she was killed by Adam Bettahar, who was later shot dead by Mounties west of Edmonton.

“My sister Nadia made it clear that she would not give herself to him in any way, we know that because she fought until her last breath to get away from Abderrahmane ‘Adam’ Bettahar,” Racha said at a news conference Wednesday.

The two had been seeing each other in late 2017 but were not in a relationship at the time of the murder, the family said. Police had no prior involvement with the couple and the murder has been labelled a domestic homicide.

“She was a strong young woman who fought and refused a man, and that decision alone resulted in her death,” Racha said.

At the request of the El-Dib family, Calgary police released details about Nadia’s grisly murder.

After a night at a downtown shisha bar, police say Nadia left with Bettahar around 3 a.m. Refusing to return El-Dib to her vehicle, Bettahar took her behind a home in the 1000 block of Maitland Drive N.E. just after 4 a.m.

That’s when police say Bettahar stabbed Nadia approximately 40 times and cut her throat while the two were in Bettahar’s vehicle. Nadia was able to escape the vehicle, but police say Bettahar then shot her twice with a high-powered rifle.

Nadia El-Dib (Provided)Calgary

Even though police say neighbours later reported hearing gunshots on the morning Nadia was killed, no one called police and her body wasn’t found until 9:30 a.m.

The night she was killed, police say Nadia called a friend expressing frustration that Bettahar wouldn’t bring her to her vehicle, which was parked near the shisha bar.

Video and forensic evidence collected during the investigation showed two muzzle flashes from shots that were fired, the second when El-Dib was on the ground.

Staff Sgt. Paul Wozney said Calgary police received more than 18,500 domestic conflict calls last year. He urged anyone suffering from domestic violence — or anyone who believes a family member is being abused — to contact police.

“There are people out in the community that want to help,” he said. “So if people feel alone, or they feel isolated, they feel like they’re on an island, there are networks and networks of agencies available to assist.

“It’s not just the victims, it’s also the family and the friends that we also want to ensure are part of that solution to these issues as well.”

Police say Bettahar legally purchased a semi-automatic rifle on March 10, just weeks before Nadia’s murder.

She was the second Calgarian killed in 2018.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Bettahar the day after the murder. He evaded police for days before being shot and killed by police on March 29, after opening fire on Mounties following a pursuit along Highway 16 west of Edmonton.

The confrontation left Sgt. Brian Topham with non-life-threatening injuries.

Earlier this week, Racha visited with Topham and “met the whole team” who faced a gun-wielding Bettahar in the shootout. Racha says she has formed a lifelong bond with the RCMP officers involved in the gun battle.

Racha said the El-Dib family is grateful for the support from police and Calgarians, adding she will continue to be an advocate against domestic violence and hopes Nadia’s story will inspire others to ask for help when “pursuit from a man, or even a woman,” turns abusive or dangerous.

Help is only a phone call away if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence:

Connect Family & Sexual Abuse Network: 1-877-237-5888.

The 24-hour Family Violence Helpline: 403-234-SAFE (7233)

If you are in danger or suspect someone else could be harmed, call 9-1-1 immediately.

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